The situation in Ahmadabad had become tense since after the fighting had begun in Kargil and during the Indo-Pak world cup cricket match. As is their common practice, anti-Pakistani slogans were utilised to whip up anti-Muslim passions. The spate of burning of Nawaz Sharif's effigies in Muslim localities was accompanied by raising rabid anti-Muslim slogans. Reports indicate that in many parts of Ahmadabad city, such incidents have taken place. The situation deteriorated to such an extent that the police, under the BJP state government, had to belatedly issue orders that no effigies would be burnt without their permission.

In order to retain its political position in Gujarat, particularly after Vaghela joined the Congress and Mrs Sonia Gandhi had addressed a largely attended public meeting, the BJP has resorted, once again, to rouse communal passions. This must be seen in the background of the ghastly and inhuman attacks against the Christian community that were engineered by the Saffron Brigade in Gujarat earlier.

Such developments also come in the background of the rabid communal campaign against veteran actor Dilip Kumar by the Shiv Sena and false charges levelled against Ali Mian, a respected Muslim leader in Uttar Pradesh.